The old woman waved her hand.
“I didn’t see anything.”
“Huh? You’re lying with your eyes open! She clearly struck first.”
Chen Lang pointed at Li Mu.
Li Mu jolted. The stick in her hand fell to the ground, and she looked completely innocent.
“They didn’t see anything. I can’t help it.”
“So you’re all ganging up on me, huh?” Chen Lang exploded in anger. He turned and glared fiercely at Li Xianglian. “I’ll ask you just one thing—are you coming home with me or not?”
Li Xianglian raised an eyebrow.
“Of course I’ll go back someday, but not now. You’re a grown man with hands and feet—if you have no food, make it yourself. With hands and feet, you’re still starving? What, without me at home you can’t survive? I don’t believe that.”
“You! Fine, fine. You’ve got guts.”
Chen Lang stormed off in anger.
The two children were still staring hopefully at him, their stomachs growling.
Chen Xuan tugged at his sleeve.
“Daddy, is Mommy coming back?”
Chen Lang snapped, “Don’t mention her to me.”
Chen Xuan froze.
Seeing him slam the table, she shrank in fear.
Daddy didn’t bring Mommy back?
Chen Lang felt his throat dry. He grabbed the water kettle—but it was empty. He went to the kitchen, only to find a cold stove and nothing edible.
His anger flared even more.
“Li Xianglian, you’re really making things difficult for me. Don’t come begging me to return later!”
Chen Xuan carefully spoke up, “Daddy… brother is still sick.”
Chen Lang turned sharply, about to scold her—but seeing her tearful eyes, he held it back.
“I know. I’ll cook something for you.”
At the dining table, Li Father spoke slowly.
“I asked the clan elders two days ago. They’re not very supportive of the divorce.”
“Then what do we do?” Li Mother sighed. “Xianglian can’t stay at home forever. People will talk. And that child Chen Xuan is so young but already twisting facts. If Chen Lang uses her words outside, it’ll be even harder.”
Li Father asked, “Xianglian, what are your plans?”
Li Xianglian leaned in and whispered something to them.
Both parents were startled.
“Is this… really going to work?” Li Mother asked.
“Trust me,” Li Xianglian said. “We can’t let him take the lead.”
That night, rumors spread through the village.
Chen Lang passed by the village entrance carrying his sick son, only to hear women gossiping.
“That so-called scholar? He doesn’t work, just waits for his injured wife to serve him.”
“Exactly. Li Xianglian is crippled and still has to cook for them. What kind of man is that?”
“I even heard he lets his child twist the truth. That girl is only three years old!”
“Children learn from adults. The father must be the same.”
Chen Lang clenched his teeth and walked on.
But then a group of men nearby mocked him too.
“Men like that ruin their families.”
“Not even willing to farm, yet expects his wife to serve him.”
“They say he even mistreats his in-laws…”
Chen Lang finally snapped.
“What are you all saying?!”
The crowd scattered.
“You cowards—say it to my face!”
Splash—
A basin of cold water suddenly poured over him.
“Ah! Sorry, I didn’t see you, Scholar Chen!” an old woman cried. “My eyesight is bad!”
Chen Lang stood drenched, furious—but the woman kept apologizing with trembling voice.
He could only swallow his anger.
As he walked away, his chest burned.
Did I… really do something wrong?
No.
It must be Li Xianglian’s fault.
Everything he suffered was because of her.
Back at home, Chen Xuan and Chen Ju waited at the door.
“Brother, Daddy is back!”
“Why is Daddy’s clothes wet?” Chen Ju asked weakly.
Chen Lang changed clothes without explanation and came out with a dark face.
“What happened?” Chen Ju asked.
“I’ll cook,” Chen Lang said coldly.
“Daddy… when will Mommy come back?” Chen Ju suddenly asked.
That question finally broke him.
“If you miss her, go find her yourself! Her life has nothing to do with me!”